Friday, February 22, 2013

Lately I have been really trying to think of my life as a pie, does this seem weird? I just find that some pieces are getting really big, while unfortunately the others are getting smaller. With 24 hours in a day how is it possible to try and touch on all of these areas? I am very happy that I am in school, working, and still working and keeping very busy with my new life in Calgary, but sometimes I feel like I am forgetting other areas of myself and as a consequence, I feel exhausted.

So one portion of this pie seems to stare me right in the face, HOBBIES! So it is a common question that many people get asked... what are your hobbies? This seems to always stump me? I mean... I have a lot of hobbies.... I like to shop, obsess over personal finance goals and opportunities (I guess that is the accountant in the works talking), go for walks, spend hours looking at pointless things on the internet, read occasionally, go to yoga when I have time... but lets be honest...doesn't this list not seem a little lame to tell someone? Why can't I be an avid crocheter... or runner.. or something lol?

I guess my hope is that I can pay a little more attention to my personal pie and make sure that in 2013 some don't get larger and others get smaller. While there are only 24 hours in a day, I need to use every hour to the best of my abilities. I hope to use my time more effectively; make that time with loved ones more meaningful... (no I do not need to check instagram every 6 minutes lol), give myself that personal growth time.. and really just make every moment count.

The best thing about living in Calgary is going home to see my family in Edmonton. There is something fun about having that little distance so when you do go home, everyone is so excited to see you! This past weekend Darren and I were laying in bed wondering what we needed to get done before heading out to Fairmont with some friends, when we decided to delay the trip a day and go surprise me sister for her 30th birthday! I definitely have no regrets! We had so much fun seeing everyone, enjoyed the yummy catered food and seeing my sister so happy to see us.

Una on 17th avenue!

On Saturday Holly and I had lots of fun exploring 17th. It was such a beautiful day and all I wore was a light jacket, which was a nice change from the Arctic freeze-over we were having the previous week. It was the first time I have really checked it out the place and I found the most amazing stationary/party store, Reid's. They had everything under the sun, to the cutest personalized stationary, office supplies, endless gift ideas, and to pens worth more then my wedding ring... needless to say I was a kid in a candy store; as you can tell from the bag... clearly I had to leave with something! I also loved Rubaiyat... they had the cutest jewelery (a little out of my price range unfortunately) and lots of fun and unique home furnishings, which I have been seriously obsessed with lately, I am just so excited to decorate our new place!

Lunch was amazing too! Una has my favorite honey and cheese pizza, I know I know... it does sound a little peculiar, but let me tell you all (the all 5 of you who read my blog)... it is life changing! We also loved our date prosciutto wraps.. and our free desert!

After finding a note under our door where normally we only come across marbles and other fun things that will fit though the door, we now get messages! ... and looks like Darren is now participating in the fun. I will miss this when we move into our new house in about 2 months.. but that is about the only thing ill miss.. hehe.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Well another week has ended and I must say this week was filled with lots of good. For one, I had my first day of classes, finally! It has been so hard not being in school; there is something so powerful about learning new things, pushing yourself, burying yourself into textbooks for hours, the feeling that with all the new school supplies you got your mark will be that much better (do I really need a mini stapler?), and of course the inevitable stress that comes with it all.... I missed it! But I guess part of this whole growing this is that you have to actually put yourself out of your comfort zone, which leads me to my next point... I am in a public speaking class? Not sure how far this chipmunk voice will take me but I sure am excited to see how it goes! One of my assignments is preparing and presenting a toast for a potential bride... sounds much better than writing papers, and a nice break from accounting and finance! It sure was nice having my husband come with me to make sure I had someone to carry my books and encourage me to take the classes that I did, he really is my best supporter and makes me laugh whenever I get too stressed. This weeks best laugh was when he came out of the bathroom so confidently with a Mucho Burrito tattoo right on is right cheek.... nope not his face. Oh goodness.

I had an amazing time with all my family in Cabo this year, but I promise there are no more trips coming any time soon. We sure were lucky to get to go do so much island hoping last month... if I didn't have any photos I wouldn't even be sure that December wasn't just a dream.

Favorite moments in a nutshell:

1) Seeing so much family that I have not seen in so long.

2) Waking up in our room... the walking to check out the beautiful day before us on the deck... nothing to do all day but whatever you wanted.

3) Finding $1.00 burritos at the local store which was for the local workers... but we quickly all caught on and ran there every morning to ensure we could get some before 10:00 am.

4) Watching my grandparents get their portrait done at our last mexican feast in town... keeping the love alive.

5) Walks on the beach, especially with Darren on New Years as the parties and music surrounded us and the ocean was so warm.

6) Going to lovers beach and watching Darren skim board, cliff dive, swim in no swimming zones and whatever life or death excursion he could discover.

7) The laughs that came after Lauren popped out of the water after we all thought she was missing. I think me and Kaitlyn said about 3 prayers....

8) Hot tubs on the roof overlooking cabo every night

9) Mexican Walmart

10) Bargaining for bracelets on the beach... I think they can all retire now after my family discovered that they resembled the Michael Kors ones.

11) Tres Leche.... who knew this existed.. so good!!!

12) After wanting to get a couples massage so bad... I finally got the chance at the Mexico airport lol.

13) Paddle boarding... and watching my mom try it determined not to get a drop of water on her.. and she succeeded!

14) Being able to bring all the memories that were created there back with me... sure made me realize how lucky I have been in 2012.